Custom straight
- Thread starter Jsteele
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If you have no idea who to get your razor from this is a rather premature step.
There are plenty of people who actively make custom razors - williams, chandler, zowada, harner, livi...., bill ellis doesn't seem to be one of them anymore.
There are plenty of people who actively make custom razors - williams, chandler, zowada, harner, livi...., bill ellis doesn't seem to be one of them anymore.
In alphabetical order Frank Warner, Joe Chandler, Maestro Livi, Robert Williams, Tim Zowada. I am sure there are others, these are just the guys who come to mind.
Do you want a full hollow, or a wedge?
5/8, or 8/8?
Smiling blade, or straight as an arrow?
In my opinion there is no need to jump directly into a custom to be able to have something you can pass on to future generations. A few of the non-custom razors I own, are over a hundred years old.
Buy a quality razor.
But a few quality razors, and both you and your descendants will be able to enjoy them.
Or just go out and drop it all on a single custom! That's cool too!
5/8, or 8/8?
Smiling blade, or straight as an arrow?
In my opinion there is no need to jump directly into a custom to be able to have something you can pass on to future generations. A few of the non-custom razors I own, are over a hundred years old.
Buy a quality razor.
But a few quality razors, and both you and your descendants will be able to enjoy them.
Or just go out and drop it all on a single custom! That's cool too!
Firstly, I agree with Gugi. Your really skipping a whole step by going straight to custom. Custom is custom because you've tried a bunch of other razors and have a good idea of what you want.
Perhaps you want something "semi" custom. Livi new grinds and the Hart razor come to mind. LR Harner has some razors already made for sale on his site. Unless they're gone. SRD stocks some Chandlers and Livis too. Classic Shaving also has some ready made Zowadas and Livis.
Perhaps you want something "semi" custom. Livi new grinds and the Hart razor come to mind. LR Harner has some razors already made for sale on his site. Unless they're gone. SRD stocks some Chandlers and Livis too. Classic Shaving also has some ready made Zowadas and Livis.
Just a thought here OK, it's your $$$$$...
What type of blade are you going to buy???
Hollow, half hollow, wedge, 1/4 hollow???
Point, what kind do you like???
Round, Spike , Spanish, French, Barbers????
How about size???
4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8 ???? somthing in between????
Just some thoughts to ponder, that maybe you should try a few out first, before laying down a chunk of change on a custom.....
BTW any you try out you can most likely sell for most if not all of what you spent on them...
edit: Wow 3 people all typing the same thought at the same time hehehehe
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+1. These are all questions that should be answered before buying a custom.
Get some normal straights first, find what you like, and then get a custom. But don't bleed the market dry for the rest of us!
I actually have owned several customs, including a Livi, a Williams, a Chandler, and a Harner.
I've sold them all.
Why? They were all beautiful blades and fantastic shavers, but for how much they all cost ($350-$750), I had several old blades that I got off eBay that shaved just as good, and in some cases, better than my customs. Not only that, but I love the "personality" that old blades have. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic of the shaving world
In the end, if you think that it is worth it, then it is worth it to you.
I've sold them all.
Why? They were all beautiful blades and fantastic shavers, but for how much they all cost ($350-$750), I had several old blades that I got off eBay that shaved just as good, and in some cases, better than my customs. Not only that, but I love the "personality" that old blades have. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic of the shaving world
In the end, if you think that it is worth it, then it is worth it to you.
I would say spend your money on a quarter hollow LG, if you can find one. I have said it before, and I'll say it again...though some shave equally as well, nothing shaves better.
But....I echo the thoughts of the others, I still enjoy trying new razors out, and after a year have really only decided that I prefer round points over square!
But....I echo the thoughts of the others, I still enjoy trying new razors out, and after a year have really only decided that I prefer round points over square!
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I'm late to the party, but I agree with gugi, Glen, and Leighton
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